Naqaib Rangmanch stages Kashmiri play ‘Faraz’

Lalit Gupta

A scene from the play ‘Faraz’ staged by Naqaib Rangmanch on Monday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

JAMMU, Jan 20: Naqaib Rangmanch presented Kashmiri play ‘Faraz’, as eighth production of ongoing annual drama festival organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, at Government College for Women auditorium, here today.
Written by Soom Nath and directed by Vinod Chopra and Daisy Naqaib, Faraz was a topical play that highlighted multiple issues and problems being faced by people of Kashmir. The play started with conversation between two narrators; Nadeema who wants to settle aboard work for women empowerment while Aftaab, the idealist, reiterates teachings and sacrifices of Gurudev Rabindranath, Mahatama Gandhi, Bhagat Singh. He in light of current situations urges Nadeema to contribute in building the nation anew.
During their conversation, the major issues facing Kashmiris appear one after the other as characters and situations. These included ‘Mauj Kashir’-the mother Kashmir, who laments the migration of her children and the threat to unity of motherland. Second, was about the character of ‘wife’, Mirnal, the third being menace of corruption and the last was tragic tale and subsequent suicide by the ‘rape victim’, Tasleema.
Shashi Naqaib in roles of Mauj Kashmir, Mirnal, Bimla Naqaib as Tasleema gave impactful performances. Sameer Qasba as Aftaab, Meena Peer Nadeema, Rasmesh Kumar Koul as Javed, Sahil Pandit as Mohudin, Kusum Kaul as Lady and Suresh Chauhan as Rishi also acted well. Live background music by Deepak and songs by Suresh Chauhan supported the emotive situations well. The sparkling white dress of ‘Mauj Kashmir’ including ‘tarang’, very well succeeded in giving a traditional look as well as somberness to the character. The costumes of other characters were also appropriate. Make-up was by Bimla Naqaib, sets by Rakesh Kumar and lights by Raj Kumar Bhat. Ajay Kumar was the assistant director.
Tomorrow, ‘Pancham’ is going to present Markand Desh Pandey’s Hindi drama ‘Kasturi’ under direction of Gurmeet Jamwal.